Upper Structure For Footwear and Footwear Comprising The Same

ABSTRACT

A present invention shaft arrangement for footwear comprises a shaft bottom having a water vapor permeable installation sole and having a shaft bottom functional layer laminate and a shaft region having an outer material ply and having a shaft functional layer laminate. The sole sided shaft end region is connected to the shaft bottom, and the shaft bottom functional layer laminate has a two-ply configuration.

The following invention relates to a shaft arrangement for footwear andalso to footwear comprising such a shaft arrangement.

Footwear having a waterproof and water vapor permeable shaft and therebyable to give off perspiration moisture to the outside despitewaterproofness in the shaft region is known in the prior art. In orderthat perspiration moisture can also escape to the outside in the soleregion, sole regions of footwear have also been equipped with waterproofand water vapor permeable sole functional layers. One example thereof,wherein not only the shaft bottom but also the remaining shaft regionare equipped with water vapor permeable but waterproof functional layersand wherein the shaft bottom is separate from the shaft region is knownfrom DE 10 2008 029 296 A1.

Such footwear, then, can give rise to the problem that the sole region,where the foot produces the most perspiration moisture which has to betransported away, is a site where moisture is prone to be left over,which causes a sensation of coldness and of freezing in cold weather inparticular. The moisture removal potential in this region is limited inthe case of conventional breathable footwear.

The present invention therefore has for its object to provide a shaftarrangement for footwear, and also footwear comprising same, wherein theremoval of moisture specifically in the sole region is improved in orderthat any sensation of freezing and coldness of the foot at this locationmay be avoided.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patentclaims. Advantageous developments will be apparent from the dependentclaims.

A present invention shaft arrangement for footwear comprises a shaftbottom having a water vapor permeable installation sole and having ashaft bottom functional layer laminate and also a shaft region having anouter material ply and having a shaft functional layer laminate. Thesole sided shaft end region is connected to the perimetric edge of theshaft bottom. For this, there are a plurality of design executions,which will be elucidated in what follows.

The shaft bottom functional layer laminate and the shaft functionallayer laminate are preferably connected to each other waterproof, forexample by a continuous adhesive bond, in order that a waterproof sealbetween the two functional layer laminates may be formed. The region atwhich the two functional layer laminates and the corresponding twofunctional layers are connected together by means of a sealing adhesiveto create a waterproof bond is not water vapor permeable. Such a sealingadhesive for forming the waterproof bond between the two functionallayer laminates can be any desired suitable waterproof adhesives.

The construction created by bonding the shaft functional layer laminateto the shaft bottom functional layer laminate is waterproof around theentire foot, and is water vapor permeable except for the waterproofbonds formed by sealing adhesive.

In all embodiments, the shaft functional layer laminate can be suitablyconnected to the outer material, for example stitched thereto on anupper side.

According to the present invention, the shaft bottom functional layerlaminate has a two-ply configuration. Owing to the two-ply shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate and owing to the water vapor permeableinstallation sole in the shaft bottom, perspiration moisture is simplerto transport outside from the underside of the foot than is the casewith conventional shaft arrangements comprising a three-ply shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate. An additional third layer of the shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate is explicitly dispensed with here. This makesis possible to save the costs for this third layer and, since thebarrier to be overcome by the water vapor is reduced by one layer, theamount of perspiration moisture which can be transported away can alsobe increased. The omitted layer can be more particularly a woven latticefabric or mesh.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the two-plyshaft bottom functional layer laminate includes a shaft bottomfunctional layer or membrane and a supporting textile ply. Thissupporting textile ply is configured to be water vapor permeable but notwaterproof. The shaft bottom functional layer or membrane is configuredto be waterproof and water vapor permeable, for example in the course ofprocessing or production.

This supporting textile ply is arranged either on the shaft bottom innerside or on the shaft bottom outer side, depending on the construction ofthe shaft arrangement. The supporting textile ply is water vaporpermeable and forms a protection for the shaft bottom functional layer.

In either case, the shaft bottom functional layer is arranged betweenthe supporting textile ply and the water vapor permeable installationsole.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the shaftfunctional layer laminate of the remaining shaft can have a conventionalthree-ply configuration, but it is similarly possible, as will beappreciated, for this shaft functional layer laminate to likewise begiven a two-ply construction in order that the moisture removalpotential may also be increased at the side regions and at the upperside of the shaft arrangement.

In one design version of the shaft arrangement of the present invention,the water vapor permeable installation sole, which is often also knownas insole, is arranged above the shaft bottom functional layer laminate.Here the two-ply shaft bottom functional layer laminate has a greaterlateral extent than the installation sole in order that said laminatemay be cemented to the sole sided end region of the shaft functionallayer laminate and to the outer material ply.

In this case, the supporting textile ply of the two-ply shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate is arranged lowermost. The foot comes intocontact with the installation sole.

In this construction, the water vapor permeable installation sole may bestitched, for example by means of a Strobel stitch or a zigzag stitch,to the sole sided end region of the shaft functional layer laminate, andadditionally the end region of the outer material ply may be lasted ontothe shaft bottom functional layer laminate.

In an alternative construction of the shaft arrangement, often alsoreferred to as bootie, the sole sided end region of the shaft functionallayer laminate is stitched, for example by means of a zigzag stitch, tothe perimetric edge of the shaft bottom functional layer laminate. Withthis kind of construction, the water vapor permeable installation soleis arranged underneath the shaft bottom functional layer laminate.

The supporting textile ply of the two-ply shaft bottom functional layerlaminate is arranged uppermost and comes into direct contact with thefoot. The installation sole forms the lowermost layer of the shaftbottom.

With this form of construction, then, there is a first alternative inthat the sole sided end region of the outer material ply is stitched tothe water vapor permeable installation sole.

In a construction alternative thereto, the sole sided end region of theouter material ply is lasted onto the installation sole.

In principle, the shaft arrangement of the present invention is notrestricted to certain design versions, but can find utility in amultiplicity of design versions.

The present invention also provides footwear having at least one shaftarrangement of the type described above, the underside of which has asole unit secured to it. The sole unit can be connected to the shaftarrangement in any desired manner, preferably by cementing or injectingthe sole unit to the shaft arrangement. The sole unit, to be able toensure a sufficiently high removal of moisture, has to be endowed withat least one throughhole opening or with porosities which leaddownwardly or laterally to the outside.

Definitions and Test Methods Footwear:

Foot covering having a closed upper portion (shaft arrangement) whichincludes a foot slip-in opening and includes at least one sole or soleunit.

Shaft Outer Material:

A material which forms the outside surface of the shaft and thus of theshaft arrangement and consists for example of leather, a textile,plastic or other known materials or combinations thereof, or isconstructed therewith, and generally consists of water vapor permeablematerial. The sole side lower end of the shaft outer material forms aregion adjoining the upper edge of the sole or sole unit or above aboundary plane between the shaft and the sole or sole unit.

Installation Sole (Insole):

An installation sole is part of the shaft bottom. A sole sided lowershaft end region is secured to the installation sole.

Sole:

A shoe has at least one outsole, but can also have multiple kinds ofsole plies which are arranged on top of each other and form a sole unit.

Outsole:

An outsole is that part of the sole region which touches thefloor/ground or makes the main contact with the floor/ground. An outsolehas at least one tread surface touching the floor.

Midsole:

When the outsole is not attached directly to the shaft arrangement, amidsole can be inserted between the outsole and the shaft arrangement.The midsole can for example serve cushioning purposes, damping purposesor as filling material.

Bootie:

A bootie is a sock type inner liner of a shaft arrangement. A bootieforms a bag type liner of the shaft arrangement, which covers theinterior of the footwear essentially completely.

Functional Layer:

Waterproof and/or water vapor permeable layer, for example in the formof a membrane or of an appropriately treated or finished material, forexample a textile with plasma treatment. The functional layer in theform of a shaft bottom functional layer can form at least one ply of ashaft bottom of the shaft arrangement, but can also be additionallyprovided as a shaft functional layer at least partly lining the shaft.Not only the shaft functional layer but also the shaft bottom functionallayer can be part of a multi ply, usually two, three or four ply,membrane laminate. The shaft functional layer and the shaft bottomfunctional layer can each be part of a functional layer bootie. Wheninstead of a functional layer bootie a shaft functional layer and aseparate shaft bottom functional layer are used, these are sealed offwaterproof relative to each other in the sole sided lower region of theshaft arrangement for example. The shaft bottom functional layer and theshaft functional layer can be formed from the same or differentmaterial.

Suitable materials for the waterproof water vapor permeable functionallayer are in particular polyurethane, polypropylene and polyester,including polyetherester and laminates thereof, as described in theprinted publications U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,418 and U.S. Pat. No.4,493,870. In one embodiment, the functional layer is constructed usingmicroporous expanded poly-tetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), as described forexample in the printed publications U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,566 and U.S.Pat. No. 4,187,390. In one embodiment, the functional layer isconstructed using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene provided withhydrophilic impregnants and/or hydrophilic layers; see for example theprinted publication U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,041. A microporous functionallayer is a functional layer whose average pore size is between about 0.2μm and about 0.3 μm.

Laminate:

A laminate is an assembly consisting of multiple plies durably bonded toeach other, generally by mutual adhering together. In the case of afunctional layer laminate, a waterproof water vapor permeable functionallayer is provided with at least one textile ply. The at least onetextile ply mainly serves to protect the functional layer during theprocessing thereof. This is referred to as a two-ply laminate. Athree-ply laminate consists of a waterproof water vapor permeablefunctional layer embedded between two textile plies. The bonding betweenthe functional layer and the at least one textile ply is effected forexample by means of a continuous water vapor permeable layer of adhesiveor by means of a discontinuous layer of non water vapor permeableadhesive. In one embodiment, adhesive in the form of a dot shapedpattern may be applied between the functional layer and the textile plyor both of the textile plies. The dot shaped or discontinuousapplication of the adhesive is chosen because a uniform layer of anadhesive which itself is non water vapor permeable would block the watervapor permeability of the functional layer.

Barrier Ply:

A barrier ply serves as barrier against the penetration of substances,particularly in the form of particles or foreign bodies, for examplesmall stones, through to a ply of material to be protected, moreparticularly through to a mechanically sensitive functional layer orfunctional layer membrane.

Reference Document:

European standard EN 344-1, specifically section 4.3.3 (penetrationresistance)

Waterproof:

A functional layer/functional layer laminate/membrane including ifappropriate seams provided on the functional layer/functional layerlaminate/membrane is considered waterproof when it warrants a waterinlet pressure of at least 1*10⁴ Pa. Preferably, the functional layermaterial warrants a water inlet pressure of above 1*10⁵ Pa. The waterinlet pressure is measured by following a test method wherein distilledwater at 20±2° C. is applied to a sample of 100 cm² of the functionallayer with increasing pressure. The pressure increase of the water is60±3 cm hydrohead per minute. The water inlet pressure is then equal tothe pressure at which water first appears on the other side of thesample. Details of the procedure are mandated in the ISO standard 0811from 1981.

Whether a shoe is waterproof can be tested for example using acentrifuge arrangement of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,807.

Water Vapor Permeable:

A functional layer/functional layer laminate is considered water vaporpermeable when it has a water vapor permeability number Ret of below 150m²*Pa*W−1. The water vapor permeability is tested in accordance with theHohenstein skin model. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092(02/94) and ISO 11092 (1993).

Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be more particularlyelucidated with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a first shoeaccording to a first illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a second shoeaccording to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional depiction of a portion of the shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate of the shaft bottom of the shaft arrangementfrom FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a third shoeaccording to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a fourth shoeaccording to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a fifth shoeaccording to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a sixth shoeaccording to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an exemplary shaft arrangement of thethird shoe from FIG. 4 from below;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of an exemplary shaft arrangement of thethird shoe from FIG. 4 from below;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of an exemplary shaft arrangement of thethird shoe from FIG. 4 from below;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of an exemplary shaft arrangement of thethird shoe from FIG. 4 from below; and

FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of an exemplary suction element from FIG.4.

All shoes described hereinbelow as illustrative embodiments have a soleunit and a shaft arrangement to be secured thereto. In the illustrativeembodiments described hereinbelow, the sole unit is cemented to theshaft arrangement. It is similarly possible to inject the sole unit tothe shaft arrangement.

All depictions hereinbelow are schematic and not necessarily realisticin respect of dimensions and scale.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a first shoe2 according to a first illustrative embodiment of the invention.

The first shoe 2 comprises a sole unit 4 and a shaft arrangement 22,which are still to be connected to each other.

The shaft arrangement 22 comprises a shaft bottom 34 and a shaft region23 which is connected thereto at the former's perimetric edge and ofwhich there is shown in FIG. 1 a left hand side and a right hand sideshaft section which are mirror symmetrical to each other. The uppersection of shaft region 23 is not shown in this and in the followingfigures, for simplicity.

The shaft region 23 includes a water vapor permeable outer material ply24 and a shaft functional layer laminate 26 which comprises—from out toin—a netband or mesh 28, a shaft functional layer or a shaft membrane 30and a shaft liner 32.

The sole sided lower end region of the outer material ply 24 is curvedinwardly relative to the essentially vertical section and secured bymeans of lasting adhesive 44 to the multi-ply shaft bottom 34.

The multi-ply shaft bottom 34 comprises—from up to down—an installationsole or insole 36 and a shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38arranged thereunder and having a shaft bottom functional layer 40 and alowermost supporting textile ply 42. Additionally, the installation sole36 is connected at its perimetric edge via a stitch 46, for example aStrobel stitch or a zigzag stitch, to the sole sided end region of theshaft functional layer laminate 38.

The shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 is thus configured as atwo-ply laminate. As is readily apparent from FIG. 1, the shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate 38 has a larger lateral extent than theinstallation sole 36 in order that the latter may be connected, forexample by cementing, waterproof to the sole sided end region of theshaft functional layer laminate 26 and to the outer material ply 24.

The sole sided lower end region of the outer material ply 24 is lastedwith its upper side by means of a lasting cement 44 to the underside ofthe perimetric edge of the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38.

The sole sided lower end region of the shaft functional layer laminate26 is raised away from the sole sided lower end region of the outermaterial ply 24. This creates an interspace in the end section of theshaft region 23 between the shaft functional layer laminate 26 and theouter material ply 24, which widens toward the end section of the shaftregion 23.

The shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 extends somewhat into thisinterspace. That part of the interspace which is not occupied by the endregion of the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 is typicallyfilled by air or by water vapor or a mixture thereof.

Furthermore, the underside of the sole sided end region of the shaftfunctional layer laminate 26 is connected by means of a sealing adhesive48 waterproof to the upper side of the perimetric edge of the shaftbottom functional layer laminate 38, enclosing the stitching 46 orexcluding the stitching (46), leading to a all-over waterproof and—whenusing not just waterproof but also water vapor permeable functionallayers 26, 38—to an all-over water vapor permeable shaft arrangement.

This sealing adhesive 48 penetrates through the netband 28, thus sealingthe two functional layers off relative to each other, and serves tosecure and seal the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 to theshaft functional layer laminate 26, so that no additional adhesive isrequired for this.

The sole unit 4 is prefabricated and is secured to the sole sided lowerend region of the outer material ply 24 by means of a sole adhesiveapplied at least to the upper side of the perimetric edge zone of soleunit 4. In the present illustrative embodiment, a first sole adhesivelayer 20 is applied to the upper side of the perimetric edge zone ofsole unit 4 and a second sole adhesive layer 50 is applied to the solesided lower end region of the outer material ply 24.

The sole unit 4 comprises a sole ply 6 which forms the surrounding outerregion thereof and which on its upper side extends somewhat upwardly inthe outward direction in order to accommodate the curved region of theouter material ply 24, and has a central cutout in which are arranged—inthe upward direction—a supporting bar ply 8, a barrier ply 16 and abovethe barrier ply 16 a comfort ply 10 with comfort bars.

The adhesive layer 20, as is readily apparent in FIG. 1, extends overthe upper sides of the sole ply 6 and also over the upper sides of thecomfort bars of the comfort ply 10. It is merely that region of theright hand side section of sole ply 6 which is below the right hand sideend of the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38, and also theadjoining comfort bar of the comfort bar ply 10, which can be configuredwithout adhesive ply 20.

FIG. 1 depicts three supporting bars of the supporting bar ply 8 andthree comfort bars of the comfort ply 10, which are configured somewhatwider than the supporting bars arranged thereunder. The comfort ply 10further comprises narrower comfort bar sections which commence on theinner side of sole ply 6.

The lower surface of sole ply 6 and of supporting bar ply 8 isconfigured as running or tread surface 14. Between the supporting barsof the supporting bar ply 8 there are configured cutouts or sole plythroughhole openings 12 in order that water vapor permeability and/orair permeability may be provided to the sole ply 6 with supporting bars8.

The sole ply 6 can be in one piece, as shown in the figure, or in two ormore pieces, for example in different colors.

The sole ply throughhole openings 12 are made as large as possible inorder that a correspondingly high water vapor permeability may beprovided to the sole ply 6 with supporting bars 8 and hence to the soleunit 4.

The sole unit 4 is horizontally traversed by a barrier ply 16 asmechanical protection for the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38against damage by foreign bodies, for example small stones, which worktheir way into the sole ply throughhole openings 12. This barrier ply 16extends somewhat into the sole ply 6 and thus is anchored in the latterand durably connected thereto. This barrier ply 16 in one embodiment isconstructed using a thermally consolidated fibrous material, so that itcan additionally also be configured as stabilizing material for the soleunit 4.

The supporting bar ply 8 and the comfort ply 10 may be made of adifferent material than the sole ply 6, as indicated by the differenthatchings, in order to achieve a weight reduction for the sole unit 4,improved walking comfort in respect of underfoot cushioning, or both.Alternatively, the supporting bar ply 8, the comfort ply 10 and the soleply 6 may also be made of the same material.

More particularly, a material may be chosen for the supporting bar ply 8and the comfort ply 10 that is softer than the material of the sole ply6. When good underfoot cushioning is to be achieved, EVA is an exampleof a suitable material for the supporting bar ply 8 and/or the comfortply 10. When a weight reduction is to be achieved with regard to thesole ply material, a foamed plastic having a correspondingly lowspecific weight is suitable. When both improved underfoot cushioning andweight reduction are to be achieved in respect of the sole ply material,foamed EVA is suitable for example. However, there are many furthermaterial variants which can be used.

Underneath the barrier ply 16 there is optionally situated a decorativeply 18 which is visible from below and imparts an attractive appearanceto the sole unit.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a second shoe52 according to a second illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Like the first shoe 2, the second shoe 52 likewise comprises a sole unit54 and a shaft arrangement 70, which are still to be connected to eachother. The shaft arrangement 70 is constructed according to the bootieprinciple, and comprises a shaft bottom 80 and a shaft region 71 whichis connected thereto at the former's perimetric edge and of which thereare shown in FIG. 2 a left hand side and a right hand side shaft sectionwhich are mirror symmetrical to each other.

The shaft region 71 includes a water vapor permeable outer material ply72 and a three-ply shaft functional layer laminate 74, which comprisesan inner shaft liner 78, an outer shaft functional layer or membrane 76and a woven lattice fabric or mesh 75.

The outer material ply 72 of the shaft region 71 extends somewhatfurther in the direction of shaft bottom 80 than the shaft functionallayer laminate 74 does. The shaft functional layer laminate 74 isconnected by means of stitching, which may be more particularly executedas a zigzag stitch, to a shaft bottom functional layer laminate 84 ofthe shaft bottom 80, and the stitching 90 is sealed off waterprooftoward the outside using a seam sealing tape 92.

The shaft bottom functional layer laminate 84, like the shaft functionallayer laminate 74, has a two-ply construction with an inner supportingtextile ply 88 and an outer shaft bottom function or membrane 86. Thefunctional layers 76 and 86 and also the textile plies 78 and 88 of theshaft functional layer laminate 74 and of the shaft bottom functionallayer laminate 84 are stitched to each other such that the textile plies78 and 88 and also the functional layers 76 and 86 are each contiguousto each other.

The depiction as per FIG. 2 shows a separation between the outer surfaceof the shaft functional layer 76 and the inner surface of the outermaterial ply 72, but in practice these surfaces can also be directlynext to each other.

Enclosed by the outer material ply 72 of the shaft region 71 andstitched to the sole sided end region of the outer material ply 72 is aninstallation sole or insole 82 which is arranged underneath the shaftbottom functional layer laminate 84 and has a somewhat smaller arealextent compared therewith. The stitching 94 between the sole sided endregion of the outer material ply 72 and the perimetric edge region ofthe installation sole 82 can be executed more particularly as a Strobelstitch or as a zigzag stitch.

Like the sole unit 4 of the first shoe 2, the sole unit 54 of the secondshoe 52 is also prefabricated and is secured to the sole sided lower endregion of the outer material ply 72 and additionally to the sole sidedlower margin region of the installation sole 82 by means of a soleadhesive applied at least to the upper side of the perimetric edge zoneof sole unit 54.

In the present illustrative embodiment, a first sole adhesive layer 68is applied to the upper side of the perimetric edge zone of the soleunit 54 and a second sole adhesive layer 96 is applied to the sole sidedlower end region of the outer material ply 24 and to the sole sidedlower margin region of the installation sole 82.

The sole unit 54, like the sole unit 4, comprises a sole ply 56 whichforms the surrounding outer region of the sole unit 54 and which isprovided with a central cutout in which there are arranged—from bottomto top—a supporting bar ply 58 with three supporting bars exemplarilydepicted in FIG. 2 and a barrier ply 64. The barrier ply 64 traversesthe sole unit 4 horizontally and extends with its perimetric edge regionas far as into the upper end of the sole ply 56. It is thus reliablyconnected to the sole ply 56. The supporting bars extend from thebarrier ply 64 to the plane of the underside of the sole ply 56, and thelower surface of the sole ply 56 and of the supporting bars 58 forms therunning or tread surface 62. Unlike the sole unit 4 of the first shoe 2,no additional comfort ply is provided in the case of sole unit 54, butcould be added if required.

The optional decorative ply 66 to be provided, which is presentunderneath the barrier ply 64, corresponds to the decorative ply 18 ofthe first sole unit 4.

Both in the case of the shaft arrangement 22 of the first shoe 2 in FIG.1 and in the case of the shaft arrangement 70 of the second shoe 52 inFIG. 2, the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 or, respectively,84 has a two-layered configuration and comprises only one shaft bottomfunctional layer 40 or, respectively, 86 and a supporting textile ply 42or, respectively, 88, but not a further layer. In the presentembodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the netband or net material, often alsoreferred to as a mesh, is omitted.

It is specifically at the shaft bottom 34 or, respectively, 80 that thegeneration of perspiration produced by the sole of the foot and to betransported away is greatest. In addition, underneath the shaft bottom34 or, respectively 80, there are the largest openings in the form ofcutouts 12 and 60, respectively, so that the potential for removal ofmoisture is greatest at this place.

The inventors of the present subject matter have found that anadditional third layer of the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38or, respectively, 84 can be dispensed with here and that the shaftfunctional layer laminate 38 or, respectively, 84 can be given a two-plyconfiguration in this region, as a result of which it is possible tosave the costs for a third layer and by omitting this third layer theamount of perspiration which can be transported away is also increased.Omitting the third layer of the shaft bottom functional layer laminateremoves a water vapor barrier to be overcome by the moisture.

Surprisingly, a waterproof connection is possible nonetheless, eventhough no additional ply, for example the netband, is any longerpresent.

In the shaft arrangement 22 of the first shoe 2 as per

FIG. 1, this two-layer shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 isarranged directly above the cutout 12, providing for particularlyeffective removal of moisture out of the interior of the shaftarrangement 22, and in the shaft arrangement 70 of the second shoe 52 asper FIG. 2 the two-layer shaft bottom functional layer laminate 84 hasadditionally arranged underneath it the installation sole 82 throughwhich the moisture additionally has to pass.

FIG. 3 shows an isolated sectional depiction of a portion of the two-plyshaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 of the shaft bottom 34 of theshaft arrangement 22 from FIG. 1.

Readily apparent are the lowermost supporting textile ply 42 and the bycomparison somewhat thinner shaft bottom functional layer 40 which formsthe actual membrane.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a third shoe98 according to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention.

The third shoe 98 comprises a sole unit 4, which is identical to thesole unit 4 of the first shoe 2 from FIG. 1, and a shaft arrangement100, which coincides with the shaft arrangement 22 of the first shoe 2,although in contradistinction thereto a suction element 102 is providedas an additional element.

Elements of the third shoe 98 which coincide with the elements of thefirst shoe 2 are marked using the same reference symbols.

The suction tape 102 extends from the interspace between the outernetband 28 of the shaft functional layer laminate 26 and the inner sideof the outer material ply 24 onto the outer side of the shaftarrangement 100 underneath the supporting textile ply 42. The suctionelement 102 includes a moisture-absorbing material, for example cotton,and is capable of attracting water in liquid form and also water vaporand transporting them to the outside.

The suction element 102 depicted exemplarily in FIG. 4 extends from theinterspace between the shaft functional layer laminate 26 and the outermaterial ply in the lowermost section of the still vertical section ofthe shaft region 23 as far as a region approximately central underneaththe supporting textile ply 42. Along the way, the suction element 106can rest with its region within the interspace between the shaftfunctional layer laminate 26 and the outer material ply 24 on the innerside of the outer material ply 24, have a curved trajectory like theouter material ply 24, and extend through the lasting cement 44 as faras the region centrally underneath the shaft bottom functional layerlaminate 38. The suction element can rest with its section underneaththe shaft bottom functional laminate 38 directly on the supportingtextile ply 42 of the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 and becemented thereto, and it can also be cemented with its interspace sidedsection to the shaft functional layer laminate 26 or to the outermaterial ply 24. For this, the suction element 102 can be endowed withan appropriate adhesive at its upper side.

The inventors of the present subject matter have found that moistureregularly collects in the interspace in the end section of the shaftregion 23 between the shaft functional layer laminate 26 and the outermaterial ply 24, resulting, the waterproofness of the functional layerlaminate notwithstanding, in a sensation of coldness at the foot withinthe shaft arrangement 100, impairing the moisture transport from in toout and thus adversely affecting the breathability of the shaftarrangement 100 in this region and possibly leading to moisture stainson the outer material 24.

The suction element 102 sucks up such moisture and transports it tooutside the shaft arrangement 100, specifically according to FIG. 4 intothe suction element 102 region which is outside the shaft arrangement100 and underneath the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38. Fromthere, the moisture can be further transported away downwardly throughthe cutouts 12.

This prevents any sensation of coldness at the foot in the end region ofthe shaft functional layer laminate 26, ensures breathability to theshaft arrangement 100 in this region and prevents the appearance ofmoisture stains on the outer material 24.

As a result of that region of the right hand side section of the soleply 6 which is under the right hand side end of the shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate 38 and of the adjoining comfort bar of thecomfort bar ply 10 being configured without adhesive ply 20 it ispossible to achieve better removal of moisture from the suction element102 through the cutout 12 in the downward direction.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a fourth shoe104 according to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention.

This fourth shoe 104 is composed of the shaft arrangement 100 of thethird shoe 98 and of the sole unit 54 of the second shoe 70, and likeelements are each marked by like reference numerals.

The configuration, position and function of the suction element 102 iscoincident with the suction element 102 of the third shoe 98.

In the case of the fourth shoe 104, moisture is transported out of theinterspace between the shaft functional layer laminate 26 and the outermaterial ply 24 outwardly, in particular in a region underneath theshaft bottom functional layer laminate 38, and from there through thecutouts 60 further in the outward direction.

To produce the shaft arrangement 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the suctionelement 102 is cemented from below, by means of an adhesive not shownhere, onto the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 38 and onto theinner side of the shaft functional layer laminate 26 before the solesided end regions of the outer material ply 24 are lasted together withthe shaft bottom functional layer 38.

The lasting adhesive does not lead to impairment of the suction functionof the suction element 102.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a fifth shoe106 according to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention.

The fifth shoe 106 is composed of the sole unit 54 of the second shoe 52and of a shaft arrangement 108 which is produced like the shaftarrangement 70 of the second shoe 52 according to the bootie principle.

The shaft arrangement 108 corresponds to the shaft arrangement 70 of thesecond shoe 52 from FIG. 2, the shaft functional layer laminate 116having a three-ply construction and including from out to in a netband118, a shaft functional layer or membrane 120 and a shaft liner 122.

The shaft bottom functional layer laminate 128 has a three-plyconstruction in the entire region of the shaft bottom 124 featuring frombottom to top the netband 118, a shaft bottom functional layer ormembrane 130 and a supporting textile ply 132. The netband or mesh 118is partly covered in the figure.

There, the shaft bottom functional layer laminate 128 is cemented bymeans of a water vapor permeable layer of adhesive 134 to the upper sideof the installation sole 126. The layer of adhesive extends from theleft hand side end region to the right hand side end region of theinstallation sole 126. The layer of adhesive 134 penetrates through thenet material 118 through to the shaft bottom functional layer 130, andthe layer of adhesive 134 is configured as a continuous layer of a watervapor permeable adhesive or as a punctiform layer of a water vaporimpermeable adhesive in order that breathability may be ensured here.The layer of adhesive is intended to prevent any friction between theinstallation sole 126 and the shaft bottom functional layer 130. Theshaft bottom functional layer laminate 128, the textile ply 132 of whichcomes into contact with the foot, is reliably fixed with respect to theinstallation sole 126.

A suction element 144 is accommodated in the interspace between thethree-ply functional layer laminates and the installation sole 126 orthe outer material ply 114.

The suction element 144 is preferably made of a cotton material andextends from the lower end section of the right hand side shaft region112 as far as a region situated somewhat further to the right of themiddle of the installation sole 126 into the interspace between theshaft bottom functional layer laminate 128 and the installation sole126.

This suction element 144 transports moisture which collects in theinterspace between the outer material ply 114 and the shaft functionallayer laminate 116 into a region underneath the shaft bottom functionallayer laminate 128 and from there through the permeable installationsole 126 and the barrier ply 64 to an outer side of the shoe, providingthe advantages described above.

The positioning of the suction element 144 in FIG. 6 is exemplary innature in that it is similarly possible for a further suction element144 to also be provided mirror-symmetrically to the suction element 144on the left hand lower side of the shaft arrangement 108.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional depiction of a forefoot region of a sixth shoe146 according to a further illustrative embodiment of the invention.

The sixth shoe 146 is constructed from the sole unit 54 of the secondshoe 52 and a shaft arrangement 147.

The shaft arrangement 147 comprises a shaft bottom 160 and a shaftregion 148 which is connected thereto at the former's perimetric edgeand of which there is shown in FIG. 7 a left hand side and a right handside shaft section which are mirror symmetrical to each other.

The outer material ply 150 of the shaft region 148 is at the lower endcurved inward and cemented to the installation sole 162 by means oflasting adhesive 176.

The shaft arrangement 147 is made in the manner of a bootie, i.e., thelower ends of the shaft functional layer 153 are stitched, for exampleby means of a zigzag stitch, to the perimetric edges of the shaft bottomfunctional layer 164. In addition, this transitional region is sealedoff waterproof toward the outside using a seam sealing tape 174. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 6, these seams are situated in thecurved transitional region between the vertical shaft region 148 and thehorizontal shaft bottom 160.

Both the shaft functional layer 152 and the shaft bottom functionallayer 164 have a three-ply construction with an outer netband 154, witha shaft functional layer/shaft bottom functional layer or shaftmembrane/shaft bottom membrane 156/166 and with an inwardly disposedtextile ply or shaft liner 158/supporting textile ply 168.

As with the first shoe 2, an interspace also develops in this sixth shoe146 between the end region of the outer material ply 150 and the shaftbottom functional layer laminate 164 or the shaft functional layerlaminate 152. This interspace increases in size toward the end of theouter material ply 150, and the installation sole 162 projects into thisspace. That part of the interspace which is not occupied by thisinstallation sole 162 is typically filled by air or water vapor or amixture thereof.

As in the case of the third shoe 98 in FIG. 4, this sixth shoe 146 isalso provided with a suction element 180 which extends from theinterspace between the shaft functional layer laminate 152 and the outermaterial ply 150 underneath the sealing cementation 174 via thecementation 176 to the outer side of the shaft arrangement 146underneath the installation sole 162.

The interspace sided end of the suction element 180 extends here fromthe still vertical lower section of the shaft region, via the sealingcementation 174, makes a curve and rests against the underside of theinstallation sole 162. The outside region of the suction element 180 canbe cemented to the underside of the installation sole 162 by means of alayer of adhesive for example.

The suction element 180 is embedded in the sealing adhesive without thesuction effect being significantly impaired.

This suction element 180 transports moisture out of the interspacetoward the outside. From the underside of the installation sole 162,this moisture can be further removed through the cutouts 60 in the soleunit 54.

The shaft bottom functional layer laminate 164 is connected to theinstallation sole 162 by means of a water vapor permeable layer ofadhesive 170. The layer of adhesive 170, which can be made continuouslyor punctiform, in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 7 covers a largeportion of the surface of the installation sole 162, penetrates throughthe net material 154 as far as the shaft bottom functional layer 166,and is made water vapor permeable in order that breathability may beensured here. Thus, reliable fixation of the shaft bottom functionallayer laminate 164 with respect to the installation sole 162 is achievedhere.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the shaft arrangement 100 from below.

The outer material 24 end region which forms the lower perimetric edgeof the shaft arrangement 100 and is lasted to the underside of theinstallation sole 42 is readily apparent. Likewise apparent are the endsof the suction elements which are embodied as suction tapes 184 andwhich transport moisture out of the interspace between the shaftfunctional layer laminate and the outer material ply to the outside.

The present illustrative embodiment shows eight ends of suction tapes184 of low width, distributed along the perimetric edge of the outermaterial ply 24. Such an arrangement of a plurality of suction tapes 184along the overall perimeter of the outer material ply 24 makes itpossible to ensure a reliable removal of moisture out of the interspacebetween the shaft functional layer and the outer material ply in allcircumferential regions of the shaft arrangement.

It will be appreciated that such an arrangement of suction tapes 184 canalso find utility in all other above-described kinds of shaftarrangements.

FIG. 9 shows a view of an alternative illustrative embodiment of theshaft arrangement 100 of the third shoe 98 from below.

Here, only one suction tape 186 is provided in a forefoot region of theshaft arrangement 100, and it extends somewhat as far as underneath theinstallation sole 42. This suction tape 186 transports moisture out ofthe interspace between the outer material ply and the shaft functionallayer laminate toward the outside, and one such suction tape 186 isalready enough to achieve significant removal of moisture.

FIG. 10 shows a view of an alternative illustrative embodiment of theshaft arrangement 100 of the third shoe 98 from below.

Here, instead of suction tapes of relatively low width, a sheetlikesuction element 188 which surrounds half a side is provided to transportin the entire forefoot region and also in a middle region of the shoe,moisture out of the interspace between the outer material ply and theshaft functional layer laminate to the underside of the installationsole 42, from where the moisture can leave the shoe in the downwarddirection.

FIG. 11 shows a view of an illustrative embodiment of the shaftarrangement 100 of the third shoe 98 from below.

Here a total of four suction tapes 190 are provided, which extend in theshoe transverse direction across the entire underside of theinstallation sole 42 and the left hand side and right hand side ends ofwhich extend into the interspaces between the outer material ply and theshaft functional layer laminate, respectively. In the presentillustrative embodiment, the four suction tapes 190 are arrangedapproximately equidistantly along the length of the shaft arrangement100.

Such an arrangement of suction tapes can likewise provide a reliableremoval of moisture out of the interspace between the outer material plyand the shaft functional layer laminate.

FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of a present invention suction element102 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

The suction element 102 comprises a layer 192 of a liquid-absorbingmaterial which ensures liquid transfer from the interspace to theoutside and which can be of cotton material for example. This suctionlayer is provided on the upper side with an adhesive material 194, bymeans of which the suction element 102 can be cemented for example tothe underside of the installation sole 42 and the inner side of theshaft functional layer laminate. This adhesive need not be provided onthe entire upper side of the suction layer 192; it suffices for thisadhesive to be provided regionally.

1. Shaft arrangement for footwear including a shaft bottom having awater vapor permeable installation sole and having a shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate; a shaft region having an outer material plyand having a shaft functional layer laminate; wherein the sole sidedshaft end region is connected to the shaft bottom; and wherein the shaftbottom functional layer laminate has a two-ply configuration.
 2. Shaftarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the two-ply shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate includes a shaft bottom functional layer and asupporting textile ply.
 3. Shaft arrangement according to claim 2,wherein the shaft bottom functional layer is arranged between thesupporting textile ply and the water vapor permeable installation sole.4. Shaft arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the shaft functionallayer laminate has a three-ply configuration.
 5. Shaft arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the water vapor permeable installationsole is stitched to the sole sided end region of the shaft functionallayer laminate, and/or wherein the inner side of the sole sided endregion of the outer material ply is lasted onto the shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate.
 6. Shaft arrangement according to claim 5,wherein the water vapor permeable installation sole is arranged abovethe shaft bottom functional layer laminate.
 7. Shaft arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the sole sided end region of the shaftfunctional layer laminate is connected waterproof to the shaft bottomfunctional layer laminate, and wherein the installation sole is arrangedunderneath the shaft bottom functional layer laminate.
 8. Shaftarrangement according to claim 7, wherein the sole sided end region ofthe outer material ply is stitched to the water vapor permeableinstallation sole.
 9. Shaft arrangement according to claim 7, whereinthe inner side of the sole sided end region of the outer material ply islasted onto the installation sole.
 10. Footwear having at least oneshaft arrangement according to claim 1 and having a sole unit secured tothe underside thereof and having at least one throughhole opening orhaving porosities, which sole unit is cemented or injected to theunderside of the shaft arrangement in particular.